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Hey guys, visiting N'awlins for the first time this Spring!!!

Hey guys, long time board member here from Jersey. My wonderful girlfriend has arranged for us to be in New Orleans for our first time from Saturday March 27th through Tuesday March 30th. I'll be at the Arena for Saturday March 27th against the Blazers and Monday March 29th versus the Lakers in Section 106!!!

I'll be arriving a couple of hours before the Blazers game Saturday but will have all Sunday and Monday up until the Lakers game to explore your great city. I would just like all suggestions on what sites to see, places to eat, and just overall what activities there are in order to make my trip as memorable as possible.

Besides suggestions the only question I do have for you guys is would a rental car or public transportation be the best way to get around the city?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I will look forward to putting a face to your names if we are to meet at the Arena.

if you want some great food and a quirky new orleans atmosphere go to Jaques-Imo's (its on oak street) http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/
Get the Alligator Cheesecake (trust me its amazing...its one of their best apps!)

And for good music/nightlife GO TO FRENCHMEN STREET (its on the outskirt of the french quarter...where the locals go) Great jazz, funk, blues on that street on any given night. http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp

yea you right! parkway is awesome. its in my hood so i go all the time.

i added mothers to the list since they have good po boys and other stuff.

just trying to make an ultimate new orleans eats list. (stuff that you dont find in no B.S. travel guides....like "go to bubba gumps shrimp" yea...right....lets go get some frozen shrimp while in new orleans??? no thanks...)

If you have particularly deep pockets I'd suggest hitting up Antoine's in the quarter but dinner for two is going to run you at least $200 before tips and wine. I haven't been in a while, myself and heard the quality/service can be a bit touch and go at times in recent years but the place has been around since 1840. Brennan's has good food but I almost view that place as a tourist trap. There's also Commander's Palace but again, you'll sink about $200 for dinner -- lunch is less and still the same excellent quality.

Of course there is always Acme Oyster House on the casual side of things. The food isn't necessarily vintage/signature New Orleans but the atmosphere certainly is -- just grab a few dozen raw oysters and you're good to go.

I also concur with Matt and Naddie's but highly suggest you go for dinner. As you could see I could go on and on with restaurant choices.

For stuff to take home stop in to Evan's Candy and grab yourself the assorted praline mix. Also as you're driving around St. Charles Ave (and other parts of the city) keep an eye out for this guy:

Warning: Prepare to have any dental work you may have ripped out from chewing!

I'll update this as I think of more. Oh, I would definitely get a rental car -- the street car is nice but fairly limited and parking in the Quarter isn't as bad as it used to be... I don't think.

if you want some great food and a quirky new orleans atmosphere go to Jaques-Imo's (its on oak street) http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/
Get the Alligator Cheesecake (trust me its amazing...its one of their best apps!)

And for good music/nightlife GO TO FRENCHMEN STREET (its on the outskirt of the french quarter...where the locals go) Great jazz, funk, blues on that street on any given night. http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp

The New Orleans Museum of Arthttp://www.noma.org/
Located in beautiful City Park. Check out the sculpture garden right outside its a great thing to do on a nice day!

Hope this helps. Hit us back if you want more info. Always down to point you in the right direction

I like to send tourists to the Crescent City Brewhouse. I would probably also add some Sunday brunches to the fancy list. Brennan's and Court of Two Sisters come to mind.

May also want to include some Uptown bar scene stuff. If the dude is on a romancing trip ( ), him and his woman should probably catch a drink at The Columns on the porch (St. Charles Ave. and accessible by Street Car). Have him hit some bars on the Avenue, including Fat Harry's and the Riverbend over at Cooter's, Madigan's, GBs. And maybe he can venture over towards Bruno's and that cluster of bars. Might like the live music at the Maple Leaf, HOB and Tips. I also like Dos Jefes on Tchopitoulas, especially if you like to combine a smoke (cigar bar) with live music. They also have a pool table. Might want to send him to F&Ms at 3 a.m. and Miss Mays at 4 a.m. just to **** him up a bit. And then he can catch breakfast back in the Riverbend at Camillia Grill.

And romancing trips aren't complete if you don't take your woman to see the fountain at Pat O's. After his hurricane, send him over to Tropical Isle for a hand grenade. Now, hitting Tropical Isle on Bourbon is important. Why? Because you can get a $5 drink and sit on the balcony watching the comings and goings for a short bit on Bourbon St.

Haha, I thought the same thing about Popeye's too. I always thought they would taste the same everywhere else in the country...WRONG!!

Popeye's in NOLA > Popeye's anywhere else

Wow really?! I figured sinced Popeye's was a chain it would taste the same as it does here in Jersey.
CANNOT WAIT!!! It looks like I'll have a great time based on these suggestions. I emailed my girl the thread link so she can choose what we'll do based on your suggestions.
Will any of you be at the Blazers or Lakers game?